Malik Evans, an at-large member of the Rochester City Council and a former Rochester City School Board president, will run unopposed for mayor in November, making him the very likely successor to incumbent Lovely Warren.

Evans trounced Warren in the primary election last week, receiving twice as many votes as the troubled mayor.  

Warren graciously conceded.  

According to Evans, the city needs to start to change its trajectory on several fronts, including violence. 

“One of things I’ve talked about is appointing a gun czar, really working with our state, federal and local partners to try and stem the flow of illegal guns that have been proliferating the streets of Rochester,” Evans told Capital Tonight.

Another priority for Evans is economic development, which he said is linked to public safety.

“I believe that public safety and economic development go hand in hand," Evans said. "They go together like love and marriage. You can’t have strong economic prosperity without public safety. We have to address that.”

Regarding the transition, Evans said that last week he had a “great” conversation with Warren. They are scheduled to meet in person within the next two weeks.

“Many of her staff have reached out to say they are willing to offer whatever support we need to make sure we have a smooth transition,” he said.